The 35th AVGU Men’s Championship and 7th Women’s Championship were held in Darwin over the week of the 1st of September to the 5th of September
The Nedlands representatives were Joe Alexander, Wayne Trumble, Ian Mumford, Brian Stuart, Yolande and Vince Caruso, Patricia and Steven Noske, Nikki Bellemore-Thomas, Mandy Sudlow-Brown and Beth Stone
The eleven Nedlands players were joined by Caroline Thomson from Albany and Chris Hyma from Royal Perth.
Darwin and Palmerston Golf Clubs were the host clubs for the week and they were presented in excellent condition,
A welcome reception was held on Monday at the Mindil Beach Casino and a Presentation Dinner was held on Friday at the Darwin Sailing Club.
Preceding the Championship itself 4BBB Events were held at both Darwin and Palmerston and around 120 pairs played in the Championship opener.
Yolande and Vince Caruso finished second at Darwin Golf Club with 45 points – they lost on a countback.
With both the Women’s and the Men’s Championship there were 3 Grades – “A” Grade, “B” Grade and “C” Grade.
Some of the past performances by Nedland’s members-;
WOMEN
2019-National Gross Champion Cath Bellemore in Launceston
2022-Joan Brown – “A” Grade Runner-up in Mandurah
2022-Mandy Sudlow Brown – “B” Grade Runner-up in Mandurah
2023 Cath Bellemore – “A” Grade Runner-up in Canberra
MEN
2006-Jim Purves – “B” Grade Gross Winner in Canberra
2006-Gordon Holusa – “A” Grade Nett Winner in Canberra.
2008-Joe Alexander – “B” Grade Gross Winner in Adelaide
2011-Neil Watson – “A” Grade Nett Winner in Hobart
2015-National Nett Champion-Joe Alexander in Darwin.
2017-Joe Alexander – “B” Grade Gross Winner in the Gold Coast
2018-Joe Alexander – “B” Grade Gross Winner in Port Stephens
2023 Joe Alexander – “B” Grade Nett Winner in Canberra
2023 Gavin Furness – “A” Grade Nett Runner-up in Canberra.
There were some notable performances from NGC member’s being:
Brian Stuart won the Best AM Round in “B” Grade at Darwin in round 2 with 38 Stableford Points.
Wayne Trumble was 9th at the same venue in “C” Grade with 33 points
Joe Alexander won the overall round 2 Stableford at Palmerston with 37 points “
And no doubt the best player of the week was Mandy Sudlow-Brown who came away with plenty of prizes but none better than being crowned Women’s Stableford Champion.
- Women’s Stableford Champion – One of only three Major Champions of the tournament.
- 4th Nett over the 3 rounds with 223
- 2nd in “B” Grade overall – lost on a countback.
- Winner “B” Grade Stableford with 103 points
- Runner- up overall in the “B” Grade Stableford.
A major performance during the week was a Hole -In – One from none other than Joe Alexander on the 4th hole at Palmerston Golf Club during Monday’s 4 Ball competition. Well done Joe.
SUMMARY
From all accounts everyone had a most enjoyable time both on and off the golf course. Whilst winning is important it is over shadowed by friendship and camaraderie.
Congratulations to the organizers for a great week of golf and to the host clubs for their hospitality and in particular the condition and grooming of each of the 2 courses.
Well done to Joe Alexander for once again coordinating the trip and next year we look forward to more support from the Nedlands Members when the Championship will return to Queensland – the Gold Coast with dates and host clubs to be confirmed.
From – Greg Fitzhardinge
